The NBA 2024-25 season is finally here.

While basketball enthusiasts enjoyed the Paris Olympics, anticipation builds for Tuesday night’s opener. The Boston Celtics will go up against the revamped New York Knicks in the first game, followed by the Minnesota Timberwolves visiting Los Angeles to face the Lakers.

Boston aims to be the first team to repeat as champions since the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors, but they will have tough rivals, starting with the Knicks right on opening night.

As we gear up for the start of the NBA season, here are six crucial questions to ponder.

Will Anyone Challenge the Boston Celtics?

The Celtics were dominant throughout last season, starting with a strong 26-6 record and maintaining momentum, culminating in their 18^th NBA title. They built a deep roster capable of winning multiple championships. However, this offseason, two Eastern Conference teams—the Knicks and the 76ers—made significant roster changes in response to Boston’s success.

New York acquired Mikal Bridges, known for his scoring and defensive skills, along with Karl-Anthony Towns, a versatile big man who enhances offensive spacing. Philadelphia brought in six-time All-NBA forward Paul George, who represents a modern wing prototype. Nonetheless, the Celtics boast a lineup where all five starters excel defensively and are effective from beyond the arc when healthy.

Can the Young Thunder Take a Leap Forward?

Oklahoma City was the second-youngest team last season, with an average age of just 24.12, trailing only the Spurs at 23.52. Additionally, the Thunder had the least NBA experience, averaging 2.22 seasons. Despite this, they excelled, securing the top seed in the Western Conference.

However, their inexperience showed in the playoffs as they were eliminated in the semifinals by the eventual conference champion Mavericks. Coach Mark Daigneault has fostered a free-flowing offense, spearheaded by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, with rookie sensation Chet Holmgren expected to make an even greater impact this season. Furthermore, Jalen Williams stepped up, and Luguentz Dort emerged as a defensive anchor. The team also bolstered its defense by trading for Alex Caruso. After a remarkable 17-win improvement last season, this year’s focus will be on advancing in the playoffs.

How Will the NBA Handle Scoring and Physicality?

The NBA often evaluates the initial months of the season during the All-Star break to adjust enforcement standards. Last season, after witnessing historic scoring levels fueled by lenient officiating, the league shifted its focus, allowing more defensive physicality, which resulted in a decline in free throw attempts and scoring.

Fans enjoyed a different style during the Olympics, governed by FIBA rules. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle mentioned in a recent podcast that the NBA has signaled that games will resemble FIBA’s stylistic approaches more than the previous “freedom-of-movement” standards. The early season will reveal how consistent the league is in enforcing these changes.

Can Ja Morant Remain Healthy and Help the Grizzlies Rebound?

Two seasons ago, the Memphis Grizzlies notched 51 victories, and three seasons ago, they achieved 56 wins, both securing the No. 2 seed in the West. However, a 25-game suspension along with a shoulder injury disrupted star guard Ja Morant’s last season, contributing to a significant drop in Memphis’ standings.

Despite these setbacks, there were some silver linings. Jaren Jackson Jr., the Defensive Player of the Year from two seasons ago, stepped up significantly offensively. Last season’s youngest player, GG Jackson, showed promise, and now Zach Edey joins the roster, providing stability in the center position and is favored for the Rookie of the Year title. The Western Conference is highly competitive, but if Memphis wishes to re-establish itself as a serious contender, Ja Morant will need to lead the charge.

What Does Year 2 Hold for Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs?

Victor Wembanyama, who received the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award unanimously and dazzled fans with numerous spectacular plays, will have many basketball enthusiasts excited to see what he accomplishes in his second year. At just 20 years old, he also represented France in the Olympics.

Last season, the Spurs were careful with Wembanyama’s playing time, limiting him to an average of 29.7 minutes per game. However, this figure is expected to grow. At the start of training camp, the Spurs reported Wembanyama’s weight at 235 pounds, an increase of 25 pounds from the 210 he weighed last season. This added weight should benefit him on both offense and defense. Key improvements to watch for during this season include more aggressive play in the post, better shooting efficiency from beyond the arc, and reducing his average of 3.7 turnovers per game. The signing of veteran point guard Chris Paul will further support Wembanyama, who will need to enhance his scoring to help the Spurs improve.

What can the Pacers do for an encore?

One of the most surprising developments in the 2024 playoffs was the Indiana Pacers’ journey to the Eastern Conference Finals. While they may have benefited from injuries to their opponents in both the first round and semifinals, they still thrived on their fast pace and effective ball movement.

Although point guard Tyrese Haliburton led the league in assists with an average of 10.9 per game, the Pacers may need him to take more initiative in seeking his own shots, especially in crunch time. True to their name, the Pacers ranked second in offensive pace, but this raises questions about whether such speed can be consistently maintained without compromising their defensive performance, as they stood at 23rd in defensive efficiency. Most of this season’s roster remains intact, and the addition of shooting guard Benedict Mathurin returning from the bench brings added strength. However, with other teams in the Eastern Conference improving, the Pacers might find it challenging to replicate their previous success.